Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-03
SEASIDE HATS.

oEANltL llhA2s
Some very pretty hats for the sea-
SIDE, which are shown just now, remind
one OF the coquettish head-dresses Of
the Normandy tishcr-girls. They have
f. very high, narrow, round crowns, which
: ore covered with cream-colored null,
I shirred at intervals, SO as to produce
/ gathered spaces between the shirrings.
PjcOt ribbons of bright color are placed
at appropriate points upon the crown
and add materially to the piquant effect
Of the hat. The brim is covered with
successive larges or edgings OF plat Val
dropping downward towards the outer
edge.
Sateen dresses, made with gathered
waists, full sleeves. deep tabliers and
Lifted skirts, and trimmed throughout
with velvet usually in one of the darker
wood shades, are extremely popular,
and one sees them. with very slight va
rlatIons of design or trimming, on every
side. Their cheapness and GOODNESS
render them especially desirable.
Tolonaises and redingote forms, al
belt little spoken of, are still in con-
siderable favor, and are as fully repre-
scented among summer costumes ashley
have been at any time during the year.
Redingotes are made with extreme SIM
plicity in the finer, smooth grades OF
woollen fabrics, and reach usually to
the bottom of the skirt, concealing the
latter entirely with the exception of Il
very small N-shaped space upon the
front. The trimmings are of velvet,
with large, ornamental buttons OF
metal, while at the back. just at the
waist, and falling thence upon the full
draperies, knots of bead passementerie
are worn. The drapery, carried to the
giound, is heavy, but very primly laid
in with squire folds.
Lace scarfs, fichus, giiO's, and plas
irons, very appropriate to the season
on account of the dainty material COM
POSING them, are IN great favor,
DRESS hEFoRM.
The advocates of dress reform are at
present engaged in pulting forth more
strenuous efforts to secure the general
adoption of their system or systems Of
dress than they have employed for ten
years past, aud seemingly with some
what greater success than formerly.
The number of their converts is not
very large, hut the number OF those
who incorporate certain portions OF
their system into their Q N.Is- 4.-ethod5 OF
-drcSs-.-rr-ur- and steadily on the in
crease.
1t is certain that, with two points OF
Al. i g.. III l,rr..
towork very earnestlyin order tosecure
any believers. Those points are the
casting aside of the corset and the al
teIation of the outward garments Al
though the present generation OF re-
formers do MOI endeayor to incorporate
trousers into their street costume, the
dresses advised are so loose and pre-
sent so little of that shapeliness which
all women love to see that they do not
commend themselves, however health
full they may be.
For this reason reform should be
dlmost entirely restricted to the under
garments for the present, and IN this
direction not only is some change much
needed, but, il shown the way, women
will be very glad to adopt more hygi-
chic garments than those now most in
use. The principal objects to be at
tanned by system OF reform are the
euuable distribution of heat over the
entire surface Of the body the sus-
pension of all garments from the shoul
ders instead of from the waist and hips,
as at present practiced; and less pres
sure and construction upon the vital
parts of the frame.
THE FIRST STEP.
These features OF the movement are
sought TO he attained in the following
ways: The skirts as well as other gar
ments are suspended by straps from the
shoulders; they are made sufficiently
large about at the waist to prevent
pressure, and the extremities are as
much cared for, in the matter Of clo-
thing, rs the central regionsof the body
which ut present receive much more |
warmth than the chest or limbs, and |
more than is absolutely necessary. Two |
or even three union suits are therefore |
worn by the converts Of dress reform. |
The first, knit garment, covers the |
entire body to the ankles the second, |
OF muslin, covers the body again to the |
knees, being the well-known chemise
drawers, and the third, when worn, is
Of sufficiently warm material, at its |
lower portion, TO take the place OF one
OF the petticoats now in use. In this
way the legs receive the same amount
of warmth as the body, and the thoracic
region is also better cared for. Al
though the system possesses several
wise features, and, il the entire scope
of the movement were confined 10 the
under-garments, it would certainly,
sooner or later, become the rule rather
than the exception. G. II. NJ.
The talisman Of Charlemagne is in
the possession OF the French Empress.